DENTAL PROSTHETIC TREATMENT

Dental prosthetic treatment methods are chosen considering the patient’s needs, expectations and wishes. A patient has two options for the selection of dentures – fixed dentures and removable dentures.

Fixed dentures

Fixed dentures (crowns, partial crowns, veneers, bridges on above the teeth or implants) are fixed to the natural teeth preserved in the oral cavity, or to the teeth implants (artificial teeth roots that were threaded instead of lost teeth and that serve as a support for the denture) and are not removable. The purpose of these dentures is to make a patient feel like they are his/her own teeth.

Crown. A dental crown is an artificial tooth covering used to restore a damaged tooth (that is broken, worn out or cracked). A single crown is produced from plastic, metal or zirconium ceramics. It is produced in a laboratory to match the adjacent natural teeth according to the shade, shape and size.

Bridge. This construction is used when a single or several adjacent teeth have been lost. A bridge of artificial teeth is secured onto the supporting teeth, i.e., two adjacent teeth are ground during the treatment and the gap between them is filled in with a prosthetic restoration. For the production of the bridges, the same materials are used as for the production of crowns.

DENTAL PROSTHETIC TREATMENT

Dental prosthetic treatment methods are chosen considering the patient’s needs, expectations and wishes. A patient has two options for the selection of dentures – fixed dentures and removable dentures.

Fixed dentures

Fixed dentures (crowns, partial crowns, veneers, bridges on above the teeth or implants) are fixed to the natural teeth preserved in the oral cavity, or to the teeth implants (artificial teeth roots that were threaded instead of lost teeth and that serve as a support for the denture) and are not removable. The purpose of these dentures is to make a patient feel like they are his/her own teeth.

Crown. A dental crown is an artificial tooth covering used to restore a damaged tooth (that is broken, worn out or cracked). A single crown is produced from plastic, metal or zirconium ceramics. It is produced in a laboratory to match the adjacent natural teeth according to the shade, shape and size.

Bridge. This construction is used when a single or several adjacent teeth have been lost. A bridge of artificial teeth is secured onto the supporting teeth, i.e., two adjacent teeth are ground during the treatment and the gap between them is filled in with a prosthetic restoration. For the production of the bridges, the same materials are used as for the production of crowns.

PARTIAL CROWN (MICROPRESTHESIS)

Veneers (laminates) are very thin ceramic dental plates covering only the anterior surface of the teeth. They are perfectly suitable for the restoration of broken or worn-out teeth, as well as for the correction of the shape of the teeth or to mask interdental gaps. Compared with the filling materials, veneers are more wear-resistant and can protect a tooth against damage.

Ceramic onlays and inlays are designed to restore missing parts of the tooth. They are produced from a metal or ceramics. They do not change their shape and colour, and they are more wear-resistant. Aesthetically, a partial crown does not differ from a natural tooth.

PARTIAL CROWN (MICROPRESTHESIS)

Veneers (laminates) are very thin ceramic dental plates covering only the anterior surface of the teeth. They are perfectly suitable for the restoration of broken or worn-out teeth, as well as for the correction of the shape of the teeth or to mask interdental gaps. Compared with the filling materials, veneers are more wear-resistant and can protect a tooth against damage.

Ceramic onlays and inlays are designed to restore missing parts of the tooth. They are produced from a metal or ceramics. They do not change their shape and colour, and they are more wear-resistant. Aesthetically, a partial crown does not differ from a natural tooth.

Fixed (permanent) dentures are produced from durable and strong materials that have an aesthetic natural look and ensure a normal chewing function.

TYPES OF FIXED DENTURES:

Crowns produced from zirconium oxide are especially aesthetically-pleasing and strong metal-free ceramic dental restorations made of a zirconium ceramic frame covered with a porcelain layer. They are suitable for the restoration of all teeth and look the most attractive.

A moulded crown is produced from the alloy of noble and base metals. These crowns are very strong and resistant; however due to aesthetic considerations (they have a metal colour) they are only recommended for the restoration of molars.

A metal-free ceramic crown looks like a natural tooth; however, it is less strong when compared with a prosthetic restoration produced from a metal ceramic or zirconium ceramic. It is only used for the anterior teeth.

A metal ceramic crown consists of a frame made from the alloy of noble and base metals with a ceramic finish. Such dentures look nice and they function properly; however, they are impermeable to light and look less natural when compared with metal-free prosthetic restorations. Metal ceramic dentures are only recommended for the prosthetic restoration of molars.

REMOVABLE DENTURES

Modern removable dentures can be of different constructions and types. Removable dentures are used when all or a part of the teeth have been lost. Removable dentures are offered when the fixation of dentures onto the teeth or an implant is not possible, or if a patient cannot afford fixed dentures. The fixed dentures are more expensive than the removable ones; however, we would recommend a restoration with fixed dentures, if it is affordable, as these dentures are the closest option to natural teeth. There are two types of removable dentures – dental plates and arch-supported dentures. The dental plates can be complete or partial, depending on the number of teeth that are lost.

Usually, such a plate is produced of a rose plastic base with white teeth. To ensure a good fixation of the dentures, several hooks can be added, which are hitched onto the natural teeth.

Elastic (flexible) plates are lithe and durable. They are almost inconspicuous and can be better fixed in the mouth. The elastic (flexible) plates are produced with a soft elastic base and are more comfortable.

Arch-supported dentures are characterised by a short adaptation period, and their fixation is superior to that of dental plates. These dentures have a thin metal base and are fixed to the patient's healthy support teeth by hooks or locking mechanisms.